Pledge to Refuse Dominion & Appalachian Power Contributions

Background

This pledge originated as an attempt to address the corrupt campaign finance system in Virginia. We understand that legislative solutions can't be expected anytime soon - not with a legislature funded by corporate interests and dominated by Republicans. So instead of focusing on the law, we decided to focus on the culture.

We're inherently suspicious of pledges, and as pragmatists, we're uneasy with the rigidity they impose. But given the extraordinary grassroots recruitment effort this year in Virginia, we saw the value in building a coalition on the record. These candidates are not pledging to oppose Dominion or Appalachian Power or even to oppose the contentious pipelines. These candidates are, however, aware that many citizens don't believe politicians have been serving the interests of their constituents.

This pledge is an effort to avoid the appearance of undue influence via campaign contributions. It's based on the assumption that, if elected, all signatories will be willing to sit down with these entities to formulate policy that benefits their constituents. But these constituents will have a renewed trust in their representatives, a reason to believe that legislators are having clean conversations with corporations.

The Pledge

We, the undersigned, believe all elected officials should be making decisions about the environment without monetary influence from the fossil fuel industry. For years, Appalachian Power and Dominion in particular have pumped cash into the coffers of politicians from both political parties in Virginia - and, of course, into the parties themselves. These interests are not driven by the protection of our environment or concerns about public health, but by the profit motive.

If we’re to be credible as candidates willing to fight to protect our environment, willing to stand up to corporate interests when they conflict with the interests of everyday Virginians, we must remove the appearance of influence through campaign donations.

We therefore pledge never to accept campaign contributions from either Dominion or Appalachian Power. This small step towards a Democratic Party of Virginia free from Dominion and Appalachian influence is, we feel, the absolute least we can do. We hope our fellow Democratic politicians in Virginia will join us. Because it’s only together, as a unified progressive force, that we’ll be able to reinstate a government dedicated to preserving and protecting our beautiful - yet fragile - environment.